Finding Text
Federal Agencies: Department of Health and Human Services Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.110 Program: Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs Pass-Through Entity Identifying Numbers: N/A Criteria: The Uniform Guidance in 2 CFR Section 200.303 requires that non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards (i.e., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal statues, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Per 2 CFR Section 200.414: ?In addition to the procedures outlined in the appendices in paragraph (e) of this section, any non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in appendix VII to this part, paragraph D.1.b, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC) which may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to justify the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. As described in ? 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs, but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology once elected must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time.? As defined by 2 CFR Section 200.1: ?Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) means all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the period of performance of the subawards under the award). MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, charges for patient care, rental costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs and the portion of each subaward in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs, and with the approval of the cognizant agency for indirect costs.? Condition: We noted that the calculation for indirect costs utilized the incorrect base which was not the MTDC. Context: Safe & Sound utilizes the de minimis indirect rate of 10% of MTDC. The condition was identified in a recalculation of indirect costs based on MTDC for 2022. Cause: Safe & Sound did not have policies and procedures in place to ensure indirect cost rate is calculated based on the appropriate base, MTDC. Effect or Potential Effect: Without adequate controls in place to ensure indirect costs are calculated based on MTDC, Safe & Sound could incorrectly charge expenditures to the federal program, or not request appropriate reimbursement Safe & Sound is entitled to under the terms of the grant. Questioned Costs: Below reporting threshold. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not Applicable. Recommendation: We recommend that Safe & Sound implement policies and procedures to review indirect cost calculations based on MTDC and provide training to staff. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. Management will implement policies and procedures to appropriately calculate indirect costs.